Fire-escape



(No Model) G. PRITGHBTT,

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 376,160. Patented Jan. 10, 1888.

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/Ilrl UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE,A

GEORGE PRITOHETT, or EINGHAMTON, NEW YORK. I

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,160, dated January 10, I 858.

Application filed August 22, 1887. Serial No. 247,63i'. (No model.)

To all whom 7215 may concern,-

Beit known that I, GEORGE PRITOHETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State ol` New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare .the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which ita-ppertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ot this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. l

My invention is that of a tire-escape for letting people down from high buildings in case of fire, and is designed to furnish a compact escape, which can be at all times stored in the room ready for use, and supply safe means of descent, absolutely under control of the person using it. It is for the same uses and purposes as my escape patented July 19, 1887, No. 366,736, and can be much more readily adjusted and controlled for letting down different weights than could the device described in the prior patent.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective of the completed block used,with the chains and hooks for hanging it.` Fig. 2 is a section of the block across its diameter. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the dotted line in Fig. 2; and Fig. et shows another form of the brake b, shown in thelother drawings with-v out corrugations or cross-tlutings.

The sides or frame of the block A A are plain round pieces, preferably of iron, drilled near the outer edge for bolts to hold them to` gether, and in the center for the large bolt which supports the block. Bolted rmly between the sides, and of less diameter than they are, is a cylindrical block, D, having a groove cut in its periphery or outer face to'receive and tit closely to the rope r. v be cut with a spiral groove around it, so that the rope runs once and one-half around it, as shown in the drawings, or a single groove straight over the block. In practice I have found the spiral groove with a loop of the rope around the block to secure the steadiest and ted to work easily on this bolt.

the brake to stop the descent at any desired This block may most satisfactory results. The rope 1 passing over the block has at one or both ends a basket or hammock or other support for the person or persons to be taken down. When the escape is permanently aftixed and fitted to one place, each end of the rope may be so provided, so that one ascends While the other is descending. The hammocks may also have small cords or guy-ropes attached, long enough to reach the ground when the hammock is drawn up to its full height, and by means of these the descent may be managed by those on the ground, and the hammock be held farther away from the building during the descent.

Above and outside the circular block D is a. brake, b', made of thin iron, wide enough to fill the space between the sides A A and work easily between them. At one end it has an eye or barrel, b2, which receives one of the bolts which hold the sides together, and is f1t- From this it passes over the block, inside the circle of bolts, about one-half the circumference of the block, and terminates in an eye, b', to which a cord 75 or wire, e, is attached. Then, when in use and weight is placed upon the rope, the brake b is drawn downupon the rope by means of this cord e, and the run of the rope over the block can thusbe regulated and absolutely controlled. If it is desirable to secure a irmer hold upon the rope than the smooth iron will yield, then the brake is made with corrugations, as shown in Fig. 4t.k This will enable a person holding point, but will wear the rope more.

The block is hung by the hangers H H and hooks 71, h, as shown, or any hanging device which may be preferred may be substituted; but in practice I have found that two hangers, one to fasten at each side of the window or door, are needed, so that the block may not turn when inv use. Then, in ease of iire, the ropes r r being furnished with a hammock made for that purpose or any suitable device to hold the person, the hooks h h are secured to fastenings in the casings or inside the room, and the block and ropes are thrown outside. The person to descend gets into the hammock, holding the oord ein his hand, and, pulling on this cord sufficient to hold the brake down to the rope toprevent a run, lets himself easily to the ground. If help is at hand, it can be readily worked by some one on the ground outside, and the rapidity of descent perfectly controlled by them by means of the brake, the cord from which should reach the ground. Then, if each end ofthe rope is furnished with a hammock, while one is coming down the other hammock is being drawn up and ready for use.

Having,` thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fire-escape cousistingof the sides A A, with the grooved cylindrical block D, bolted fast between them, and rope r, running over the block, in combination with a brake, b, having one end pivoted between the sides and bent to substantially conform to the shape of the cylindrical block, and the other end provided with a cord or like means to draw the brake down upon the rope to retard its motion, all substantially as shown and described.

2. A friction -block having flat parallel sides, with hangers attached thereto, and a grooved cylindrical block made fast between them, over which the rope which carries the Weight runs, in combination with a bar bent above the block, one end of said bar pivoted between the sides and the other end provided with a cord or other suitable means to draw the bar down on the rope to retard its movement over the block, all substantially as shown and described.

GEORGE PRITGHETT Vtncsses:

A. L. PINE, THoMAs A. HARROVER. 

